As MAXIMS is a web based system, hyperlinks can be provided to online NPSA publications, in particular Rapid Response Reports, Patient Safety Alerts, Safer Practice Guidance, Patient Safety Toolkits & E-learning Packages, Joint NPSA-NICE guidance as well as the NPSA Patient Safety Information Database.

Incidents are recorded on the system and appropriate reports generated in line with the NPSA guidelines. These reports can be sent to the NPSA and can also be disseminated within the Trust to other users. As indicated by the NPSA, healthcare organisations that report high levels of patient safety incidents suggest a stronger organisational culture of safety because they take all incidents seriously and link reporting with learning.

Additionally, MAXIMS contains a number of key functions and features which assist in Patient Safety by seeking to prevent patient safety incidents before these occur. These are described below.

Key Functionality

• Alerts – any special problem areas are recorded and can be viewed by authorised users.
• Allergies – These are recorded to prevent and intercept the administration of medications which will cause problems to the patient.
• Existing medication – users are made aware of historical medication prior to delivering care.
• Special restrictions – e.g. Nil by Mouth.
• Daily Patient Profile – based upon the “Gloucester Patient Profile”, nursing staff can record a patient’s progress on a per-shift basis. Currently using Roper et al “Activities of Daily Living” as a model of care, the system allows patients to be monitored using a “traffic light” dependency tool. Prevention and early detection of deterioration in condition can be managed at an early stage in care delivery. The tool facilitates the design of individual care plans and enables dependencies of individual or groups of patients to be assessed. Alternative “models of care” can be applied, in accordance with preference or relevance to the organisation/care setting needs.
• Invasive Devices. Details of these are logged as part of the patient record. These include body site/location, time, purpose, responsible user etc. Subsequently users can track these devices until their removal.
• Minimising Patient Falls assessment tool.
• Manual Handling Assessment tool.
• System to Evaluate  Critically sick patients – an alert system, requiring the user to record the action taken when recorded observations of vital signs fall outside pre-set “safe” parameters.
• Recording “vital signs” - instructions to set the frequency and type of observations to be recorded can be planned. Action can be taken if any abnormalities become apparent.
• Observations –displayed in graph format to offer instant view of apparent deviances.
• Fluid management – all aspects of input/output can be calculated, removing opportunity for user error. Specific instructions can be entered. Hourly fluid management to detect +/-balance. Pre-empting of fluid overload or dehydration can be determined and early action can be taken upon detection of either symptom.
• Recorded in error facility.
• Infection Control – MRSA monitoring screens; stool monitoring ( prevention& detection of Clostridium Difficile).
• Prevention/Management of Pressure Damage tools.
• Wound Care Management tools.
• Results Reporting  - alerting/flagging up of abnormal results.

Benefits

• Allows healthcare organisations to meet the NPSA-NICE guidelines.
• Provides visibility for all staff on Patient Safety matters.
• Allows continuous monitoring of Patient Safety aspects during the delivery of care.
• Supports prevention & management of Infection Control through various screens including MRSA monitoring, Invasive Devices, Daily Patient Progress screens.
• Supports local & national guidelines on manual handling of patients.
• Assists in monitoring of vital signs. The system can detect deterioration in patients condition, undertake dependency scoring and evaluate critically sick patients.
• Assists in Medicines Safety by providing details of patient allergies and recording of prescribed medicines.
• Supplies evidence of continuous safe practice within the care setting, thus helping to minimise insurance premiums.
• Facilitates staff training to cover aspects of patient safety.
• Ensures an overall high standard of record keeping of all aspects of care delivered to each patient.
• Improves CHI and similar reports through demonstration of focussed patient care/management in these areas.